Wind-power apparatus.



No. 868,370. PATENTED 0013.15, 1907.

' R. STOLA.

WIND POWER APPARATUS.

APPLICATION FILED MAB. e. 1905.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

' No. 868,370. PATENTED OCT. 15, 1907.

R STOLA WIND POWER APPARATUS.

APPLICATION FILED HA3. 6. 1906. v

3 SHEETS-SHBET 2.

No. 868,370. PATENTED- OCT. 15, 1907.

R. STOLA. v

WIND POWER APPARATUS. APPLIQATION FILED IAE. 6, 1905.

ROCCO STOLA, OF NEW YORK, N.

WIND-POWER APPARATUS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Oct. 15, 1907.

Application filed March 6. 1905. Serial l fe. 248,786.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, Rocco STOLA, a citizen of the United States,residing in the borough of the Bronx, in the city and State of New York,have invented a certain new and useful Improvement in Wind-PowerApparatuses, of which the following is a specification.

The invention may be used in all positions where there can be exposureto the wind and where sufficient room can be commanded. I will describeit as arranged to obtain power in a stationary structure, as amanufactory, on land.

I employ a number of wind wheels which turn each on an upright axisarranged to turn with little friction. These wind wheels are arranged ina series preferably circular. I have devised special provisions forcommunicating power therefrom and for regulating the exposure of thewheels according to the force of the wind.

Uniform continuous power is obtained from the series under the ordinaryvariable conditions of the wind by accumulating the power in storagebatteries during the periods while the wind is strong and taking suchpower from the batteries during the periods of calm.

The following is a description of what I consider the best means ofcarrying out the invention.

The accompanying drawings form a part of this specification.

Figure 1 is a vertical section showing the invention applied in a framewith a roof. Fig. 2 is a perspective view of certain portions detached.Fig. 3 is a plan view of a frame with a series of wind wheels, screensand connections, and of an interior support, according to my invention,and Fig. 3 is a plan view of such in terior support showing parts whichare omitted in the other figure. Fig. 4 is a perspective view of a windwheel detached. Fig. 5 is a plan view. Fig. 6 is a perspective view of abucket detached. Figs. '7, 8, and 9 show the invention applied on avessel. Fig. 7 is a side view with one of the screens raised to excludethe wind from one of the wheels. Fig. 8 is a plan view with the roofpartially removed and Fig. 9 is a cross section.

Similar letters of reference indicate like parts inall the figures wherethey appear. I

A is a roof supported by a rigid framing preferably of metal, comprisingupright posts, A each having upright grooves a as shown. These arebraced by radial bars A and circumferential bars A Plane screens B arearranged to run up and down easily with their edges guided in thegrooves.

C O are cords running over pulleys A and extending down to be easilyreached from below. D are weights carried on these cords approximatelybalancing the weight of the screens.

At a corresponding number of points within the posts I l l i i i l l l ll i I and screens are upright shafts M which are supported on easilyturning steps. Each carries a large wheel M firmly fixed thereon havingthin semi-cylindrical buckets M adapted to receive the force of the windand induce rotation all in the same direction.

M" are sprocket wheels, each fixed on a short sleeve loosely mounted onthe shaft M, one wheel and sleeve on each shaft.

P is a pitch chain extending around and engaging all the sprocket wheelsso that it can be moved by any one or more. There is a surplus of lengthto this chain and at one point it is deflected inward and engaged with asprocket wheel 0 which gives the power to a dynamo Q The power generatedby the revolutions is accumulated in storage batteries It ready forsubsequent use by motors not shown, which may be any ordinary orsuitable form of electric motors. The connection of the dynamo to thestorage batteries is effected by pulleys and a quarter twisted belt inthe obvious manner. L is a supporting carriage mounted wiihin thestructure. The upright shaft 0 on which the sprocket wheel 0 is carried,and also the storage battery or batteries It and the dynamo (Q, aremounted on this carriage L. It is important that the sprocket wheel 0shall be movable inward and outward relatively to the adjacent wheels Mso that such sprocket wheel shall perform the double function, first, ofan adjustable tightener for the pitch chain, and second, of a means forreceiving and utilizing the power communicated thereto through suchchain. This can be accomplished by obvious provisions for moving theentire carriage L automatically or at will. It may be understood thatthe carriage is thus movable by running on stationary ways, not shown,in the directions to tighten and slacken the pitch chain, by theordinary expedient of stout cords and weights, not shown. I have in Fig.3 shown further means for adjusting the sprocket wheel O and itsconnections. lhis device shown in Fig. 3 may be used as the means foreffecting the tightening and slackening of the pitch chain P withoutmoving the carriage L, or such sprocket may be moved simultane ouslywith any adjustment'of the carriage L to harmonize the action of thesprocket wheel and the dynamo. With either or both means the sprocketwheel O in addition to its function of receiving the power andtransmitting it to the dynamo or other machinery to be driven, may beeasily and nicely adjusted in position as .the pitch chain P changes itslength by wear or changes of temperature.

I is what I will term a sub-carriage, movable to a limited extent on themain carriage L, and furnishing bearings for the shaft 0 of the sprocketwheel O X X are screws tapped through this sub-carriage and havingbearings carried on the main carriage L. A sprocket wheel on each ofthese screws and a pitch

